Online Program

286059
Amputee services during post-earthquake Haiti: Research to analyze societal, limb, and programmatic factors around limb use in Haiti


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Dianne Jean-Francois, M.D., M.P.H, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Kristin LaHatte, MA, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Washington, DC
Jodien Johnson, PhD, Anderson Press, Atlanta, GA
1) To share key findings from research conducted that analyzes societal, limb and program factors that affect satisfaction of amputees in post-earthquake Haiti. 2) Quantitative data was collected through oral surveys, and qualitative data conducted through weekly phone interviews, 3) 272 amputees responded to oral surveys, and 60 amputees participated in weekly interviews 4) Societal – Following the earthquake there was a notable shift in the attitude of the population toward persons with physical disabilities. Before the earthquake, amputees were highly stigmatized. After the earthquake, amputees felt significantly more accepted by society. Limb - Walking over difficult terrain poses the most difficulty for amputees while wearing their prosthesis. Pain was attributed most often to the fit of the prosthesis and the need for adjustment of the limb. Cosmetic aspects of the limb are also important. Programmatic - 63% of amputees interviewed indicated they had seen more than one prosthetic provider. More than 50% of participants in the long-term survey stated that they went to an additional provider because it was recommended by a friend. Treating patients with respect outweighed all other satisfaction factors for selecting a provider, including proximity to their home and free transportation. 5) Service providers should focus on linkages to work opportunities, encouragement and education for amputees. Providers should recognize the significance of respectful patient treatment in patient satisfaction and limb use. Support groups in Haiti are highly effective, and should be a priority.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of post-Earthquake Haiti prosthetic limb provision Describe the key factors affecting use of donated prosthetic limbs in Haiti Identify the major benefits (personal, economic, societal) of amputee service provision in Haiti Analyze best practices for integrated services for amputees in low-resource settings

Keyword(s): Disability Studies, International Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: In my role as Haiti Country Director for Catholic Medical Mission Board, I have led my organizations’ activities in Haiti for the past 10 years. I am Haitian and an amputee myself, which provides me with a unique perspective on prosthetic and orthotic programs. I have my MD from the State University in Haiti, my MPH from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and have been working in healthcare in Haiti for over 20 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.